Thermostat, system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment are presented. In one embodiment, a vertical and horizontal array of thermostats is provided and each thermostat includes an identification corresponding to a room in which the thermostat is placed. Each thermostat includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identification beacon signal that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled programmable interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabled programmable interactive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength of thermostat identification signals received. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array of wireless routers. A location of the proximate wireless-enabled programmable interactive device is determined based on the signal strength information in the data packets.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/127,530 entitled “Thermostat, System and Methodfor Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on Dec. 18,2020, in the name of William C. Fang; which is hereby incorporated byreference, in entirety, for all purposes. This application is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/826,532entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for Providing Awareness in aHospitality Environment” filed on Mar. 23, 2021, in the names of WilliamC. Fang et al.; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/149,284 entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for ProvidingAwareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on Oct. 2, 2018, in thenames of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,602,195 and issued onMar. 24, 2020; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/824,867 entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for ProvidingAwareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on Nov. 28, 2017, in thenames of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,091,534 and issued onOct. 2, 2018; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/596,181 entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for ProvidingAwareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed May 16, 2017, in the namesof Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,832,490 and issued on Nov.28, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/145,448 entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for ProvidingAwareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed May 3, 2016, in the namesof Vanessa Ogle et al.; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,654,826 and issued on May16, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/461,484 entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for ProvidingAwareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on Aug. 18, 2014, in thenames of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,304 and issued onMay 3, 2016; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/935,862 entitled “System and Method forProviding Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on Feb. 5, 2014;all of which are hereby incorporated by reference, in entirety, for allpurposes.

This application discloses subject matter related to the subject matterdisclosed in the following commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/230,274 entitled “Thermostat, System and Methodfor Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” and filed on Apr.14, 2021, in the name of William C. Fang; which claims the benefit fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/127,489, entitled“Thermostat, System and Method for Providing Awareness in a HospitalityEnvironment” and filed on Dec. 18, 2020 in the name of William C. Fang;This application discloses subject matter related to the subject matterdisclosed in the following commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/230,345 entitled “Thermostat, System and Methodfor Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” and filed on Apr.14, 2021, in the name of William C. Fang; which claims the benefit fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/127,516, entitled“Thermostat, System and Method for Providing Awareness in a HospitalityEnvironment” and filed on Dec. 18, 2020 in the name of William C. Fang;This application discloses subject matter related to the subject matterdisclosed in the following commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/230,570 entitled “Thermostat, System and Methodfor Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” and filed on Apr.14, 2021, in the name of William C. Fang; which claims the benefit fromUnited States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/127,542,entitled “Thermostat, System and Method for Providing Awareness in aHospitality Environment” and filed on Dec. 18, 2020 in the name ofWilliam C. Fang; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference, inentirety, for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to devices and systems formonitoring and controlling heating and cooling in a room or otherenvironment to a setpoint temperature and, in particular, tothermostats, as well as systems and methods for providing awareness in ahospitality environment, such as a lodging establishment, motel, orhotel, for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background willbe described in relation to employee safety in hospitality environments,as an example. Employees face increased personal security risks at workin hospitality environments, such as lodging establishments, motels, andhotels, for example. Such hospitality industry employees often workalone and range over large interior areas that may be divided into manysmall, closed spaces. As a result of limited existing security measures,there is a need for improved systems and methods of providing awarenessand safety in hospitality environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve awareness in hospitalityenvironments that would decrease personal security risks to workers. Itwould also be desirable to enable a wireless-based solution that wouldmitigate or eliminate the cost of providing increased security inlodging establishments, such as a motel, or hotel, for example. Moregenerally, it would be desirable to enable such a solution for anymulti-unit environment including hospitality environments, educationalcampuses, hospital campuses, office buildings, multi-unit dwellings,sport facilities and shopping malls, whether a single story, multiplestories, or a combination thereof. To better address one or more ofthese concerns, systems and methods, including a thermostat, aredisclosed for providing awareness in hospitality environments. In oneembodiment of the system, a vertical and horizontal array of thermostatsis provided and each thermostat includes an identification correspondingto the room in which the thermostat is placed. Each thermostat includesa wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identificationbeacon that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled interactivedevice. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive device, in turn,broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength ofthermostat identification signals received. The broadcasts are receivedby a server via an array of wireless routers. The location of theproximate wireless-enabled interactive device is determined based on thesignal strength information in the data packets. These and other aspectsof the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference tothe embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1A is schematic building diagram depicting one embodiment of asystem for providing awareness in a hospitality environment illustratedas a hotel, according to the teachings presented herein;

FIG. 1B is a schematic floor plan depicting a floor of the hotelpresented in FIG. 1A in further detail;

FIG. 1C is a schematic floor plan depicting a floor of the hotelpresented in FIG. 1A in further detail, wherein an event requiring analert is occurring;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram depicting one embodiment of thesignal flow in the system presented in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of athermostat that forms a portion of the system presented in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram depicting one operationalembodiment of a portion of the thermostat shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of aprogrammable device, which is a component of the system presented inFIG. 1A;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of abeacon, which is a component of the system presented in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram depicting another embodiment of aprogrammable device, which is a component of the system presented inFIG. 1A;

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of aserver, a component of the system presented in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 9A is a signal flow diagram depicting one embodiment ofsignalization and data transfer within the system presented in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 9B is state diagram depicting one embodiment of the states of thesystem presented in FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding awareness in a hospitality environment according to theteachings presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1A and 1B, therein is depicted a system forproviding awareness in a hospitality environment, such as a furnishedmulti-family residence, dormitory, lodging establishment, hotel,hospital, or other multi-unit environment which is schematicallyillustrated and designated 10. More generally, the system 10 and theteachings presented herein are applicable to any multi-unit environmentincluding hospitality environments, educational campuses, hospitalcampuses, office buildings, multi-unit dwellings, sport facilities, andshopping malls.

As shown, by way of example and not by way of limitation, thehospitality environment is depicted as a hotel H having a lobby andfloors F, which are appropriately labeled the 2^(nd) floor through the10^(th) floor. Further, by way of example, the 4^(th) floor is depictedwith rooms 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415,416, and 417. Additionally, a common area near the elevators is labeledE, a hallway labeled P, and a stairwell is labeled S.

Thermostats 12 are communicatively disposed with various amenities,including an HVAC system, associated with the hospitality environment,which as mentioned is depicted as the hotel H. By way of example, eachthermostat 12 may be a wall-mounted unit that is an informationappliance device that generally contains convenience and safetyfunctionality, in addition to monitoring and controlling heating andcooling in a room or other environment to a setpoint temperature. Such athermostat may be used as an informational appliance that is coupled tovarious hospitality suites of service provided by the hotel H,including, for example, check in/check out, maid service, spa, roomservice, and front desk. As shown, each room includes the thermostat 12.The thermostats are deployed as part of a horizontal and vertical array,which is generally a spatial array, throughout the hotel H. It should beappreciated, however, that the thermostats and more generally deploymentof the system may include a horizontal array. Further, the deploymentmay be in a single story, multiple stories, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, each of the thermostats 12 emits a beacon, which isillustrated as field B, for identifying itself to detecting programmabledevices, as will be discussed hereinbelow. In the aforementioned commonareas, including the elevators E, the hallway P, and the stairwell S,beacon devices 16 are depicted that emit fields B for identifyingthemselves to the programmable devices also. Wireless routers 14 aredeployed as part of a horizontal and vertical array, or more generally aspatial array, throughout the hotel H to send and receive information.As shown, the wireless routers 14 are WiFi enabled. It should beappreciated however that the wireless routers 14 may communicate viainfrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, ZigBee, near field communications(NFC), or Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy, for example.

The thermostats 12 and the beacon devices 16, which are collectivelybeacons, periodically transmit beacons to the programmable devices, suchas a wireless-enabled programmable device 18, being utilized byindividual I₁. The wireless-enabled programmable device 18 may be awireless-enabled programmable interactive device that may be supplied orcarried by the user or guest and may be selected from a range ofexisting devices, such as, for example, smart watches, smart phones,tablet computers, and laptops. In another implementation, thewireless-enabled programmable device 18 may be a special purpose device,including a battery powered personal locator device. As shown individualI₁ works in the hospitality industry at hotel H and is presently workingon the 4^(th) floor. As the individual I₁ is working in room 404, thewireless-enabled programmable device 18 is receiving beacons from thethermostat 12 that is located within the room 404. Additionally, thewireless-enabled programmable device 18 is receiving beacons from thethermostat 12 that is located within the room 406.

Referring now to FIGS. 1C and 2 , the individual I₁ having thewireless-enabled programmable device 18, which is receiving the beaconsfrom the thermostat 12 located within the room 404 and the thermostat 12located within the room 406, perceives danger and requires assistanceand help. The individual I₁ activates the wireless-enabled programmabledevice 18, which sends a data packet that, via the wireless routers 14and the network 20, communicates with a server 24. The server 24, inturn, sends out the appropriate notifications to various phones 26, toactivate alarms 28, or notify others via a computer, such as computer30. As a spatial array of horizontal and vertical thermostats 12 and thebeacon devices 16 are provided, the system presented herein is able todetermine the location of the individual I₁ within a building. Thelocation information determined includes which floor the individual I₁is presently located as well as the room or common area.

In another mode of operation, the individual 12 is located on the 2^(nd)floor of the hotel H. This individual is within the field of severalbeacons, including thermostats and common area beacon devices. Thewireless-enabled interactive device associated with the individual 12periodically broadcasts a data packet to the server 24, via the wirelessrouters 14 and the network 20. The location of this individual is knownand the individual 12 publishes the location so that others may contactthis individual or find this individual. Similarly, the location of theindividual I₃ is known to be on the 7^(th) floor of the hotel H. Theindividual uses associated wireless-enabled interactive device to reportservice requests to the management of the hotel H.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , within a housing 50, inputs 52, outputs 54,processor or processors 56, memory 58, storage 60, and thermostatcircuitry 62 are interconnected by a busing architecture 64 within amounting architecture. The processor 56 may process instructions forexecution within the computing device, including instructions stored inthe memory 58 or in the storage 60. The memory 58 stores informationwithin the computing device. In one implementation, the memory 58 is avolatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory 58is a non-volatile memory unit or units. Storage 60 provides capacitythat is capable of providing mass storage for the thermostat 12. Thevarious inputs 52 and outputs 54 provide connections to and from thecomputing device, wherein the inputs 52 are the signals or data receivedby the thermostat 12, and the outputs 54 are the signals or data sentfrom the thermostat 12.

Multiple transceivers 66 may be associated with the thermostat 12 andcommunicatively disposed with the busing architecture 64. As shown thetransceivers 66 may be internal, external, or a combination thereof tothe housing. Further, the transceivers 66 may be a transmitter/receiver,receiver, or an antenna for example. Communication between variousamenities proximate to the thermostat 12 and the thermostat 12 may beenabled by a variety of wireless methodologies employed by thetransceiver 66, including 802.11, 802.15, 802.15.4, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi,ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy, andBluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized.

The processor-executable instructions periodically transmit anidentification signal including thermostat identification that may bereceived by a proximate wireless-enabled programmable interactivedevice. As previously discussed, the wireless-enabled programmabledevice 18 may include an application, which assists in the receiving, oralternatively a NFC protocol may be utilized to facilitate the receivingof the identification. In many embodiments of the beacon methodology,physical proximity between the wireless-enabled programmable device 18and the thermostat 12 is leveraged to establish signaling therebetween.

FIG. 4 depicts another operational embodiment of a portion of thethermostat 12 shown in FIG. 3 . In this operational embodiment, thethermostat 12 is located in communication with an HVAC system 70, whichmay be servicing the various parts of the floor F and/or the hotel H, orportions thereof, for example. The HVAC system 70 includes terminalconnections 72 a, 72 b, 72 c, and 72 d providing an interface to variouscomponents of the HVAC system 70, including cooling, heating, humidity,and electronic air cleaning, for example. The terminal connections 72 a,72 b, 72 c, 72 d are provided by way of nonlimiting example and itshould be appreciated that the number and configuration of terminalconnections may vary depending on the HVAC system 70 and application.

As shown, the thermostat circuitry 62 is interposed between theprocessor 56 and the HVAC system 70. The transceiver 66 communicateswith the processor 56 and the transceiver 66 is depicted as a ZigBeeantenna 74 in this embodiment. The inputs 52 and the outputs 54 to thethermostat 12 include a wired input/output device 76, a user interface78, and a temperature sensor 80.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processor 56 includes an HVACcontroller 82, an HVAC manager 84 having a programming interface 86, andan analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 88. The thermostat circuitry 62includes interface circuits 90 a, 90 b, 90 c, 90 d coupled to terminalinterfaces 92 a, 92 b, 92 c, 92 d. Each of the interface circuits 90 a,90 b, 90 c, 90 d have an amplifier circuit 94 a, 94 b, 94 c, 94 d and aninput/output circuit 96 a, 96 b, 96 c, 96 d.

The processor 56 may execute machine-readable instructions stored inmemory on behalf of the thermostat 12. By way of example, the processor56 may include a microprocessor having one or more cores,microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digitalsignal processor, digital logic devices configured to execute as a statemachine, analog circuits configured to execute as a state machine, or acombination of the above, for example. The processor 56 storesinstructions that may include at least one of HVAC controller logicembodied in the HVAC controller 82 and configurable input and outputmanager logic embodied in HVAC manager 84. In one embodiment, the HVACmanager 84 may include the programming interface 86, which is configuredto communicate with the thermostat 12 and provide process-executableinstructions thereto by way of non-transitory memory accessible to theprocessor 56.

The HVAC controller 82 is configured to receive and store userselectable configuration parameters for configuring, via the HVACmanager 84, the terminal connections 72 a, 72 b, 72 c, 72 d of the HVACsystem 70 as part of the monitoring and controlling of heating andcooling in a room or other environment to a setpoint temperature. TheHVAC controller 82 communicates the various configuration parameters andsetpoint temperature to the HVAC manager 84, which may also receiveconfiguration parameters from the programming interface 86.

In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC manager 84 generates and outputsa group of configuration control signals for each of the input/outputcircuits 96 a, 96 b, 96 c, 96 d and each associated amplifier circuit 94a, 94 b, 94 c, 94 d of the interface circuits 90 a, 90 b, 90 c, 90 dbased on the parameters to communicate with the HVAC system 70. Once theterminal interfaces 92 a, 92 b, 92 c, 92 d have been configured for arespective input or output interface signal type by the interfacecircuits 90 a, 90 b, 90 c, 90 d, the amplifier circuits 94 a, 94 b, 94c, 94 d may employ one or more of the configuration control signals toscale and normalize the feedback signals from the respective terminalinterfaces 92 a, 92 b, 92 c, 92 d to the interface circuits 90 a, 90 b,90 c, 90 d, which, in turn, drive signals to the ADC 88, which, asmentioned, forms a portion of the processor 56. The ADC 88 converts thefeedback signal to a multi-bit digital signal that be provided to orstored in memory associated with the processor 56 for access by both theHVAC controller 82 and the HVAC manager 84 for further processing. Asshown in the implementation presented in FIG. 4 , the thermostat 12 mayalso include one or more common, neutral return or earth groundterminals 98 a and 98 b for connecting to a respective common, neutralreturn or earth ground connection of the HVAC system 70, for example.

As mentioned hereinabove, in one implementation, the thermostat 12includes the transceiver 66, shown as a ZigBee antenna 74. Thethermostat 12 may also include the wired input/output device 76 that mayemploy a standard network communication protocol, such as BACnet™ orother network protocol, for enabling signal communication to and fromthe thermostat 12. The thermostat 12 may further include the userinterface 78 coupled to the processor 56 via a standard bus or otherbi-directional parallel or serial communication protocol connection. Theuser interface 78 may be a standard touch screen or combination of akeyboard and display, or other input/output device. When executinginstructions provided by a user or programming software or firmwarecontained in a setup or configuration application, for example, theprocessor 56 may generate and display a screen via the user interface 78that includes a user selectable settings input to enable a user, whethera guest, resident, technician, or thermostat installer, to identifysystem parameters to the processor 56 pertaining to the HVAC system 70.The temperature sensor 80 provides input regarding the temperature at ornear the thermostat 12. It should be appreciated that although aparticular thermostat architecture is presented in FIG. 4 , otherarchitectures are within the teachings presented herein.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , the wireless-enabled programmable device 18may be a wireless communication device of the type including variousfixed, mobile, and/or portable devices. To expand rather then limit theprevious discussion of the wireless-enabled programmable device 18, suchdevices may include, but are not limited to, cellular or mobiletelephones, two-way radios, personal digital assistants, digital musicplayers, Global Position System units, and so forth. Thewireless-enabled programmable device 18, within housing 110, may includea transmitter/receiver 112, a processor 114, a busing architecture 116,a display 118, an I/O panel 120, a camera 122, memory 124, and storage126. It should be appreciated that although a particular architecture isexplained, other designs and layouts are within the teachings presentedherein.

In operation, the teachings presented herein permit a wireless-enabledprogrammable device 18 such as a smart phone or simple transmitter tocommunicate with a thermostat that is able to relay an alert withlocation to a main server and security or other individuals needing toknow about the emergency. In the operation embodiment being described,the wireless-enabled programmable device 18 may be “paired” on atemporary basis to the thermostat on a room-by-room basis, whereby thepairing changes as the hospitality employees location changes, therebychanging the strongest received signal.

As shown, the wireless-enabled programmable device 18 includes thememory 124 accessible to the processor 114 and the memory 124 includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to receive thermostat identification beacon signals andmeasure the strength of the identification beacon signals. Thewireless-enabled programmable device 18 then periodically transmits abroadcast signal including a data packet having at least one thermostatidentification, a corresponding signal strength identificationindicating the strength of the thermostat identification beacon signal,and a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device identification.

Referring now to FIG. 6 , the beacon device 16 shown. With respect tothe beacon device 16, a housing 130 protects a transmitter/receiver 132,outputs 134, inputs 136, a processor 138, a busing architecture 140,memory 142 and storage 144. The memory 142 is accessible to theprocessor 138, and the memory 142 includes processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor 138 toperiodically transmit, via the transmitter/receiver 132, anidentification beacon signal including beacon device identification.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , with respect to the wireless-enabledprogrammable device 18, a housing 160 protects a transmitter/receiver162, a processor 164, busing architecture 166, memory 168 and storage170. A button 172 provides the activation that triggers the alert. Asshown, the wireless-enabled programmable device 18 includes the memory168 accessible to the processor 164 and the memory 168 includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 164 to receive thermostat identification beacon signals andmeasure the strength of the identification beacon signals. Thewireless-enabled programmable device 18 then periodically transmits abroadcast signal including a data packet having at least one thermostatidentification, a corresponding signal strength identificationindicating the strength of the thermostat identification beacon signal,and a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device identification.Responsive to the activation of the emergency button, thewireless-enabled programmable device 18 immediately transmits abroadcast signal including a data packet having at least one thermostatidentification, a corresponding signal strength identificationindicating the strength of the thermostat identification beacon signal,a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device identification, and anemergency alert.

Referring to FIG. 8 , one embodiment of the server 24 as a computingdevice includes a processor 190, memory 192, storage 194, inputs 196,outputs 198, and a network interface 200 interconnected with variousbusing architectures 202 in a common or distributed, for example,mounting architecture. In other implementations, in the computingdevice, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, asappropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory. Furtherstill, in other implementations, multiple computing devices may beprovided and operations distributed therebetween. The processor 190 mayprocess instructions for execution within the server 24, includinginstructions stored in the memory 192 or in the storage 194. The memory192 stores information within the computing device. In oneimplementation, the memory 192 is a volatile memory unit or units. Inanother implementation, the memory 192 is a non-volatile memory unit orunits. The storage 194 includes capacity that is capable of providingmass storage for the server 24. The various inputs 196 and outputs 198provide connections to and from the server 24, wherein the inputs 196are the signals or data received by the server 24, and the outputs 198are the signals or data sent from the server 24. The network interface200 provides a point of interconnection between the server 24 andanother computing device or network, such as the network 20 of FIG. 2 .The network interface 200 may include applicable hardware and softwareinterfaces between various protocol layers for network-basedcommunication.

The memory 192 is accessible to the processor 190 and includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 190 to execute a series of operations. Theprocessor-executable instructions receive the data packet from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive device and process the datapacket to determine the thermostat/beacon device or, more generally,beacon identification of strongest signal strength and the proximatewireless-enabled interactive device identification. Based on thisanalysis, the instructions determine the location of the proximatewireless-enabled interactive device as being proximate to the set-to boxor beacon device of strongest signal strength. Depending on theconfiguration of the wireless-enabled interactive device, theprocessor-executable instructions update a database with the locationand timestamp of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device.Further, the processor-executable instructions may transmit a servicerequest relative to the wireless-enabled interactive device, publish thelocation of the wireless-enabled interactive device, or execute anemergency alert or alarm.

FIG. 9A illustrates one embodiment of signalization and data transfer220. As shown, thermostats 1 through n respectively transfer data packet222 including beacon identification 224 and data packet 226 includingbeacon identification 228. The data packets 222, 226 are received by awireless-enabled programmable interactive device, which determines thesignal strength of each received data packet 222, 226. Thewireless-enabled programmable interactive device then establishes datapacket 230, including device indicator 232, mode of operation indicator234, beacon identifications 224, 228, and respective signal strengthidentification 236, 238.

Once the data packet 230 is broadcast, it is received by a wirelessrouter which relays the data packet 230 as data packet 230 that isreceived by a server. The server analyzes the data packet and determinesthat the wireless-enabled programmable interactive device is proximateto the thermostat 12 as the signal strength associated with receiveddata packet of thermostat 12 is strongest. The server then sends out asignal 242, which includes the device identification 232, the locationas represented by a thermostat and the mode of operation indicator 234for appropriate action.

FIG. 9B depicts one embodiment of a state diagram 260 of the states ofthe system 10, which include an alert mode of operation 262, a servicerequest mode of operation 264, and a tracking/non-tracking update modeof operation 266. As will be appreciated, the modes of operation mayoverlap or, to a partial or full extent be combined. In the alert modeof operation 262, a user of a wireless-enabled interactive device maysend an alert to indicate distress. In the service request mode ofoperation, the user may send a service along with the locationinformation. The tracking/non-tracking update mode indicates the levelof privacy the user expects and how much of the location history will besaved.

FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment of a method 290 for providing awarenessin a hospitality environment, according to the teachings presentedherein. At block 292, the array of thermostats and common area beaconsis deployed vertically and horizontally throughout the hospitalityenvironment. At block 294, beacon signals are periodically transmittedfrom the thermostats and common area beacons to be received by thewireless-enabled interactive devices.

At block 296, the signal strength between the beacon transmission of thethermostats and the common area beacons at the wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device is measured. At block 298, thewireless-enabled interactive programmable device broadcasts datapackets, including the beacon identifications and associated signalstrengths. At block 300, via the wireless routers, the server receivesand processes the data packets. At decision block 302, the server takesaction based on the mode of operation. In a first mode of operation atblock 304, a service request is associated with the location of the userutilizing the location of the wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice as a proxy. In a second mode of operation at block 306, anemergency alert is sent and subsequent notification at block 308 occurs.The emergency alert includes an indication of distress and the locationof the user utilizing the location of the wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device as a proxy. In a third mode of operation at block310, the map of individuals is updated with the location of the user, ifprivacy settings are being enabled, the system maintains the privacy ofthe individual working in the hospitality environment such that thesystem only retains in memory the last known position and time of theuser-supplied wireless-enabled programmable interactive device. Further,in this mode of operation, the system does not reveal the location ofthe individual and programmable device unless and until an alert isissued.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flowsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methodsmay include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. Forexample, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particularelement before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are allpossible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing awareness in anenvironment, the system comprising: a horizontal array of thermostats,each thermostat being associated with a room in the environment, eachthermostat having an identification including a room identifier; eachthermostat of the horizontal array of thermostats including a wirelesstransceiver; a wireless-enabled programmable device including: ahousing; an emergency button; a processor coupled to a wirelesstransceiver; memory accessible to the processor, the memory includingprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to: receive thermostat identification beacon signals; measurethe strength of the thermostat identification beacon signals; responsiveto activation of the emergency button, immediately transmit a broadcastsignal including a data packet having at least one of the thermostatidentification, a wireless-enabled programmable device identification,and an emergency alert; an array of wireless routers disposed in theenvironment, each wireless router configured to receive the data packetfrom the wireless-enabled programmable device and forward the datapacket; and a server located within the environment and in communicationwith the array of wireless routers, the server responsive to the datapacket including the emergency alert, activating an emergency alertnotification.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wirelesstransceiver of the wireless-enabled programmable device is configured tocommunicate with a standard selected from the group consisting ofinfrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near fieldcommunications (NFC), Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy.
 3. The systemas recited in claim 1, wherein the array of wireless routers areconfigured to communicate with a WiFi standard.
 4. The system as recitedin claim 1, wherein the horizontal array of thermostats furthercomprises a plurality of common space beacon devices, each common spacebeacon device having an identification including a common space.
 5. Thesystem as recited in claim 4, wherein each of the common space beacondevices further comprises: a processor coupled to a wirelesstransceiver; and memory accessible to the processor, the memoryincluding processor-executable instructions that, when executed, causethe processor to: periodically transmit the thermostat identificationbeacon signals including a beacon device identification.
 6. A system forproviding awareness in an environment, the system comprising: ahorizontal array of thermostats, each thermostat being associated with aroom in the environment, each thermostat having an identificationincluding a room identifier; each thermostat of the horizontal array ofthermostats including a wireless transceiver; a wireless-enabledprogrammable device including: a housing; an emergency button; aprocessor coupled to a wireless transceiver; memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor to: receive thermostat identificationbeacon signals; measure the strength of the thermostat identificationbeacon signals; responsive to the activation of the emergency button,immediately transmit a broadcast signal including a data packet havingat least one of the thermostat identification, a wireless-enabledprogrammable device identification, and an emergency alert; an array ofwireless routers disposed in the environment, each wireless routerconfigured to receive the data packet from the wireless-enabledprogrammable device and forward the data packet; and a server locatedwithin the environment and in communication with the array of wirelessrouters, the server including: a processor; and memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor to: receive the data packet from thewireless-enabled programmable device; determine a location of thewireless-enabled programmable device as being proximate to thethermostat of strongest signal strength, the location of thewireless-enabled programmable device being determined followingcommunication from the horizontal array of thermostats to thewireless-enabled programmable device to the array of wireless routers tothe server; and responsive to the data packet including the emergencyalert, activating an emergency alert notification.
 7. The system asrecited in claim 6, wherein the wireless transceiver of thewireless-enabled programmable device is configured to communicate with astandard selected from the group consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11,3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetoothand Bluetooth low energy.
 8. The system as recited in claim 6, whereinthe wireless routers are configured to communicate with a WiFi standard.9. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the horizontal array ofthermostats further comprises a plurality of common space beacondevices, each common space beacon device having an identificationincluding a common space identification.
 10. The system as recited inclaim 9, wherein each common space beacon device further comprises: aprocessor coupled to a wireless transceiver; and memory accessible tothe processor, the memory including processor-executable instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processor to: periodically transmit anidentification beacon signal including beacon device identification. 11.A system for providing awareness in an environment, the systemcomprising: a horizontal array of thermostats, each thermostat beingassociated with a room in the environment, each thermostat having anidentification including a room identifier; each thermostat of thehorizontal array includes a wireless transceiver; a wireless-enabledprogrammable device including: a housing; an emergency button; aprocessor coupled to a wireless transceiver; memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor to: receive thermostat identificationbeacon signals; measure the strength of the thermostat identificationbeacon signals; responsive to activation of the emergency button,immediately transmit a broadcast signal including a data packet havingat least one of the thermostat identification, a wireless-enabledprogrammable device identification, and an emergency alert; an array ofwireless routers disposed in the environment, each wireless routerconfigured to receive the data packet from the wireless-enabledprogrammable device and forward the data packet; and a server locatedwithin the environment and in communication with the array of wirelessrouters, the server including: a processor; and memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor to: receive the data packet from thewireless-enabled programmable device; determine a location of thewireless-enabled programmable device as being proximate to thethermostat of strongest signal strength; and responsive to the datapacket including the emergency alert, activating an emergency alertnotification.
 12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein thewireless transceiver of the wireless-enabled programmable device isconfigured to communicate with a standard selected from the groupconsisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, nearfield communications (NFC), Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy.
 13. Thesystem as recited in claim 11, wherein the wireless routers areconfigured to communicate with a WiFi standard.
 14. The system asrecited in claim 11, wherein the horizontal array of thermostats furthercomprises a plurality of common space beacon devices, each common spacebeacon device having an identification including a common spaceidentification.
 15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein each ofthe common space beacon devices further comprises: a processor coupledto a wireless transceiver; and memory accessible to the processor, thememory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed,cause the processor to: periodically transmit an identification beaconsignal including beacon device identification.
 16. A system forproviding awareness in an environment, the system comprising: ahorizontal array of thermostats, each thermostat being associated with aroom in the environment, each thermostat having an identificationincluding a room identifier; each thermostat of the horizontal arrayincluding a wireless transceiver; a wireless-enabled programmable deviceincluding: a housing; an emergency button; a processor coupled to awireless transceiver; memory accessible to the processor, the memoryincluding processor-executable instructions that, when executed, causethe processor to: receive thermostat identification beacon signals;measure the strength of the thermostat identification beacon signals;responsive to activation of the emergency button, immediately transmit abroadcast signal including a data packet having at least one of thethermostat identification, a wireless-enabled programmable deviceidentification, and an emergency alert; an array of wireless routersdisposed in the environment, each wireless router configured to receivethe data packet from the wireless-enabled programmable device andforward the data packet; and a server located within the environment andin communication with the array of wireless routers, the serverincluding: a processor; and memory accessible to the processor, thememory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed,cause the processor to: receive the data packet from thewireless-enabled programmable device; and responsive to the data packetincluding the emergency alert, activating an emergency alertnotification.
 17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein thewireless transceiver of the wireless-enabled programmable device isconfigured to communicate with a standard selected from the groupconsisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, nearfield communications (NFC), Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy.
 18. Thesystem as recited in claim 16, wherein the array of wireless routers areconfigured to communicate with a WiFi standard.
 19. The system asrecited in claim 16, wherein the horizontal array of thermostats furthercomprises a plurality of common space beacon devices, each common spacebeacon device having an identification including a common spaceidentification.
 20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein each ofthe common space beacon devices further comprises: a processor coupledto a wireless transceiver; and memory accessible to the processor, thememory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed,cause the processor to: periodically transmit the identification beaconsignal including beacon device identification.